Oberlin, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oberlin, Decatur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oberlin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County — the most common reported hazard around Oberlin, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | May 2026 | May 31, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 48 | Mar 2026 | Feb 25, 1998 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2024 | Dec 29, 2006 · $2.7 million damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2019 | — |
| Dust storms | 10 | May 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jun 2023 | Jul 30, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oberlin get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Oberlin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oberlin weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (6.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Oberlin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 70 miles west-southwest. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Oberlin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 70 mi west-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 146 mi south-southeast | 17,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Oberlin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oberlin, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1970, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 6, 2024, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 456 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 71 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 24, 2008.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Oberlin's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Oberlin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oberlin, KS?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 70 miles west-southwest. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oberlin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oberlin the lowest scan from KGLD is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oberlin free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Oberlin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Atwood, KS radar 27 mi
- Hoxie, KS radar 33 mi
- Norton, KS radar 34 mi
- Colby, KS radar 41 mi
- Hill City, KS radar 48 mi
- Oakley, KS radar 51 mi